Gastric cancer (stomach cancer)
A cancer that develops in the lining of the stomach. It often causes vague digestive symptoms at first — indigestion, feeling full quickly, or discomfort — which is why it can be found late. Long-term Helicobacter pylori infection is an important, treatable risk factor.
What it is
Gastric cancer arises from the cells lining the stomach, usually developing gradually over years, often through stages of chronic inflammation (gastritis) and changes in the stomach lining. Its most important known risk factor is long-standing infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which causes chronic gastritis and can, over many years, contribute to cancer — which is why testing for and treating H. pylori matters. Other factors include a diet high in salted and smoked foods, smoking, and family history. A challenge with gastric cancer is that early disease often causes only vague, easily-dismissed symptoms — indigestion, discomfort in the upper abdomen, feeling full soon after starting to eat (early satiety), or mild nausea — overlapping with common benign conditions, so it can be advanced by the time it is found. Later features include unintentional weight loss, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, black stools (from bleeding), and anaemia. It is diagnosed by looking directly into the stomach with an endoscopy and taking biopsies. Treatment depends on the stage and may involve surgery, chemotherapy and other therapies; found early, it is far more treatable.
Key lab markers
- Endoscopy with biopsy — the definitive way to diagnose it.
- Helicobacter pylori tests — an important, treatable risk factor.
- Full blood count — may show anaemia from chronic blood loss.
- CA 72-4, CEA and CA 19-9 — tumour markers used mainly to monitor a known cancer, not to diagnose it.
- Iron studies — for iron-deficiency anaemia from bleeding.
Symptoms
- Persistent indigestion or discomfort in the upper abdomen
- Feeling full soon after starting to eat (early satiety)
- Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss
- Nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty swallowing
- Black, tarry stools or vomiting blood (from bleeding)
- Tiredness from anaemia
When to discuss with a doctor
See a doctor for indigestion or upper-abdominal discomfort that is persistent, new in someone over 50, or not settling with usual measures — and promptly for alarm features such as difficulty swallowing, feeling full very quickly, unintentional weight loss, vomiting, black tarry stools or vomiting blood, or anaemia found on a blood test. These warrant assessment and usually an endoscopy, which is the way to diagnose or rule out gastric cancer. Testing for and treating Helicobacter pylori is a worthwhile, preventive step where indicated. Found early, gastric cancer is much more treatable, so persistent or alarm symptoms should not be ignored. Mediora.AI can flag patterns such as iron-deficiency anaemia or a positive H. pylori test that, with your symptoms, prompt assessment; diagnosis is made by endoscopy and belongs with your doctor.